Applying to University of Toronto – Information for International Students

Applying to universities can be a daunting process for some students — but it's even more so if you are applying to universities outside of your home country. Requirements, applications, and procedures can be confusing. University of Toronto has prepared this guide to make your admissions process easier. Read on for specific guidelines and where to get information on everything including deadlines, prerequisites, academic / non-academic requirements, and study permits.

All applicants have only one application choice to U of T Scarborough, so proper research before applying is essential. All applicants to the following programs will automatically be considered for admission to alternate programs should their original choice not be approved:

• Co-op
• Management
• Computer Science
• Joint Programs

All alternate offers of admissions are to non co-op programs only, and are typically related to the original field of study.

Deadlines

For detailed information on all deadlines, please visit the U of T Scarborough website.

After you apply

U of T will communicate with you in various ways after you've completed your application. You will receive the following:

1. 1. an e-mail confirming receipt of your application
2. 2. a postcard acknowledgement by mail (This postcard will direct you to our Next Steps website which outlines our application procedures in greater detail)
3. 3. a letter from our Admissions & Awards office acknowledging receipt of your application, and including your U of T applicant number
4. 4. an acknowledgement package from U of T Scarborough highlighting the program you've applied to and whether additional steps need to be taken for consideration

It is important to read and review every document you receive.

Submitting Additional Documents

Applicants should have their transcripts and other academic documents sent directly to the University of Toronto Admissions & Student Recruitment office, unless otherwise specified.

All programs at U of T Scarborough require completion of the Supplementary Application Form (SAF) for admission. The SAF is normally due within three weeks from the date on your acknowledgement letter and is free to complete. Failure to submit these forms may jeopardize your application.

How Admissions Works

Admissions requirements vary depending on the country and/or educational curriculum you are in. University of Toronto accepts students from various educational backgrounds including: US Patterned Education Systems, International Baccalaureate (IB), British Patterned System, General Certificate of Education (GCE), Caribbean – CXE, CAPE, and French Baccalaureate (FB) and many more. Detailed information about admissions requirements for international high school students is available on the U of T Future site. Requirements for international university or college students can be found on this page of the U of T Future site.

Prerequisites vary depending on the program you are applying to. Remember to research your educational system course equivalents for these requirements before applying. Here are some general guidelines on prerequisites. For programs in the Sciences, prerequisites may include all or some of:

• Calculus & Vectors
• Advanced Functions
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
  • (all at the grade 12U level).

For Management programs, prerequisites are:

• Calculus & Vectors
• Advanced Functions

These are based on the Ontario High School curriculum.

For precise information on prerequisites, please refer to the 2019-20 U of T Scarborough Viewbook or the Admissions & Student Recruitment website.

Decisions on acceptances are made according to academic record, the number of spaces available, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in courses relevant to subject area. Admission averages are calculated based on your 6 best grade 12U/M high school courses (including English). These are also based on the Ontario High School curriculum. Remember to research the appropriate equivalents of your educational system before applying. The minimum grade ranges for admission vary from year to year, depending on the applicant pool. However, U of T Scarborough has a page detailing factors considered when making a decision, on the Admissions & Student Recruitment site. Use this as a guide only.

The Supplementary Application Form (SAF) is an essential criterion for admissions. That's why it's so important to complete the required form. There are different types of questions you may be asked: life experiences, extra curricular activities, external assessments (reference letters), self assessment and self expression. The principle goal when completing this form is to make yourself stand out from other applicants.

To determine whether or not you need to provide proof of English facility, you should have two questions in mind: What is your first language? And how many years have you studied in an English language school system in a country where the dominant language is English? If your first language is not English and you have less than four years of satisfactory full time study in an English language school system, you must present proof of English facility. Detailed information on acceptable tests and scores can be found on our Admissions & Student Recruitment website.

Keep Informed

At any time during this process, you can check the status of your application or check whether all your academic documents have been received via the online JOIN U of T portal.

Study / Work Permits

Once you have received your offer of admission from U of T Scarborough, you should apply for your study permit right away. You must be accepted at an educational institution. You may be required to provide proof of funding (for tuition and living expenses), complete a medical examination, and must not have a criminal record. When applying for your permit, you may also be required to provide other information or documents. The complete details on applications and what to do when you arrive in Canada can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

For a full list of requirements, please consult the nearest IRCC office in your geographic region.